Three new ride-hailing startups to challenge Grab’s ‘monopoly’ in PH
Three new ride-sharing startups – Go Lag, Owto, and Hype – are set to operate in the Philippines soon to compete with Grab, according to the country’s Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
— Deal Street Asia
Strong Filipino population draws fast food chain Jollibee to expand its reach in Canada
The growing Filipino population in Canada has been catalyst for the biggest fast food chain in Asia to expand its market into Canada.
— CTV News
New coins raise confusion
Release of the New Generation Currency (NGC) Coin Series of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Monday has been met with a lot criticisms from the public and netizens who say the new coins create confusion.
— The Manila Times
Manila ranks 3rd in top 10 most popular Easter destinations for Asia-Pacific travelers
Thanks no doubt to the fact that Easter falls during the same period as this year’s cherry blossom season, Tokyo has topped a list of the most popular Easter destinations among Asia-Pacific travelers for 2018.
— AFP Relaxnews
BSP think tank gives March inflation forecast
A central bank think tank said inflation this month was likely to settle within the 3.8 to 4.6 percent range using the 2012 base year of prices.
— ABS-CBN
PSE still non-compliant with 20% ownership cap
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) is still non-compliant with the ownership limit set in the Securities Regulation Code (SRC).
— Philippine Star
P600M eyed to improve carabaos
The Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA), is proposing a budget of P600 million in 2019 to invest in advanced technologies that will upgrade the agency’s process of breeding carabaos, in a bid to boost the country’s dairy and livestock industry.
— The Manila Times
Western Union expands digital distribution through GCash
Filipinos can now receive Western Union® international or domestic money transfers into their registered GCash wallets 24/7 — giving them convenience at their fingertips.
— Philippine Star
NFA to conduct open tender for 250,000 MT rice shipment
THE National Food Authority (NFA) said that it is preparing for an open tender to select suppliers for a pre-approved shipment of 250,000 metric tons (MT) of rice, which will help replenish its buffer stock.
— BusinessWorld Online
PH pushes Customs data exchange deals with major trading partners
The Department of Finance (DOF) has directed the Bureau of Customs to set up data exchange arrangements with South Korea, Japan and the United States to ensure the seamless swap of trade-related information.
— Manila Bulletin
Index fails to hold up, ends below 8,000 anew
On the last trading day before the Holy Week break, the local stock market failed to hold up and sustain a short-lived recovery on Tuesday.
— Philippine Star
Camp Aguinaldo, military hospital redevelopment to fund pension reform
PENSION reform for the uniformed services will be funded in part by joint ventures to redevelop parts of Camp Aguinaldo and two major military hospitals in Quezon City, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said.
— BusinessWorld Online
DPWH opens P273.5-M Ilocos Sur bridge in time for Lent
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said it has completed 665-lineal meter bridge worth PHP273 million in the southern part of Ilocos Sur, which is set to support livelihood and tourism in the province.
— Philippine News Agency
Chinese nickel ore imports lifted 41pct in February
FNARENA reported that China’s nickel ore imports have lifted 41% in February as imports from Indonesia surged.
— Steel Guru
Slight peso recovery in 2018, 2019 – BMI
The peso could post a slight recovery against the dollar this year and the next amid higher US Federal Reserve and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) interest rates, a Fitch unit said.
— The Manila Times
Feature photo Brian Evans
Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).
Philippines morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Philippines news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.

Stella-maris Ewudolu
Between November 2010 and February 2012 she was a staff writer at Daylight Online, Nigeria writing on health, fashion, and relationships. From 2010 – 2017 she worked as a freelance screen writer for ‘Nollywood’, Nigeria.
She joined AEC News Today in December 2016.

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